Cutting torch or blowpipe



J. c. cRowLEY ET AL Feb. 25, 1941.

CUTTING TORCH OR BLOWPIPE 2 Sheets-Sheet l 'Filed Jan. 2l, 1937 Feb. 25, 1941. J, Q CROWLEY TAL 2,232,772

CUTTING TORCH OR `BLQWPIPE Filed Jan. 2l, 1937 ZASheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.,

Parenteel-ea 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE 2,232,772 cu'r'rnvc. 'roacn on nowrrrx:

J ohn C. Crowley and Charles F. Carroll, Cleveland i l Heights, Ohio; s aid Crowley assignor to The Dill Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application January 2l, 1937, Serial No. 121,662

which the present invention relatesis connected' to a source of suitable inflammable gas under pressure and also to a source of oxygen under pressure, the gas and oxygen becoming suitably mixed in the torch to give the required and correct combustible mixture. When a torch of 'this kind is used for the cutting of metal, the metal is first preheated by means oi the llame produced at the nozzle of the torch by the ignited combustible mixture of gas and oxygen, and aiter the metal has been suiciently heated a jet of the oxygen alone is directed against the metal and acts to destroy the carbon in the metal and to eiect al severing thereof. When the torch is used in the Welding of metal it is only necessary to employ the llame of the ignited cmbustible mixture of oxygen and gas. The manl ner in which a cutting torch` or blowpipe ci this character is employed for either cutting metal or welding metal is well understood in the art and need not be explained in greater detail, except to refer to the fact that .heretofore torches of this character have been provided with separate manually manipulated valves controlling the flow of gas and oxygen to the nozzle. necessary for the operators of torches oi this kind to be extremely skilled, inasmuch asv they must determine by a visual inspection of `the flame if the proper combustible mixture is being employed and they must constantly adjust the manually manipulated control valves to com pensate for decreases or changes in the pressure of the supply sources for the gas and oxygen.

An object of the present invention is to pc10- vide an improved cutting torch or blowpipe which is so constructed that the proper combustible mixture ci gas and oxygen will alwaysl A further object is to provide a cutting torch or blowpipe wherein the proper combustible mixture of gas and oxygen is obtained at the nozzle by merely moving a single control lever to a predetermined position, in which position said lever remains during the operation of the torch.

A still. further object is to provide a cutting torch orl blowpipe wherein a constantl predeter- It has been mined flow pressure of gas and oxygen is delivered to the nozzle irrespective of changes or *decreases in the pressures in the supply lines due to the consumption of gas' and oxygen.

An additional object is to provide a cutting torch or blowpipe wherein a perfect combustible mixture is present at the nozzle at all times and which does not require manipulation of control valves during use to compensate for any drop of pressure in the supply lines.

A stillfurther object is to provide a cutting torch or blowpipe wherein the passage of the unmixed oxygen to the nozzle for cutting the metal is controlled by a valve which remains in either the closed or open positions until changed by the operator.

Another object is to provide a cutting torch or lowpipe which is relatively simple in construction, efllcient in operation and can be easily controlled and manipulated. j

Furtherand additional objects and advantages not hereinbefore specified will become apparent hereinafter during the detailed description which is to follow of an embodiment of the invention that is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. l is a side elevational view ci the cutting torch or blowpipe on a reduced scale.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view. through the cutting torch or blowpipe on a larger scale than Fig. l, the dual valves controlling the ilow of gas and oxygen into the torch to provide the combustible mixture, and the valve controlling the flow of oxygen alone to provide the cutting jet being shown in open position.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view on a'larger scale than Fig. 2 and is taken substantially on une a-s of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a `fragmentary sectional view on a larger scale than Fig. 2 and illustrates one of thelbellows controlled valves that regulate the iow pressure ofthe gas and oxygen through the cutting torch or blowpipe.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken substanl ,tially on line 5-5 of Fig.' 4 looking in the direction of the arrows. y

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on a larger scale than Fig. 2 and is taken substantially alongy the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 looking inthe directionof'lthe arrows, and

Figs. 7 andv are fragmentary `sectional views on alarger scale than Fig. 2 and are taken i respectively along lines I-y-l and 8-8joff Fig. 2

' loolningin they direction vof the arrows. The cutting torch 'or blowpipe' .comprises a, u

body portion IIl constructed of suitable metal and provided adjacent its upper side with a longitudinally extending passage formedl of a portion II of relatively large diameter and a portion I2 of relatively small diameter. The outer 'end of the portion II of the passage is threaded to receive a threaded fitting I3 to which a conduit I4 is connected and `which` extends to a suitable tank of oxygen under pressure. The body I0 beneath the portion IIof the passage is provided with a. pair of vertically spaced parallel longitudinally extending circular recesses I5 and I6, the

right hand ends of which, as viewed in the drawings, being of enlarged diameter and shaped to receivebushings Il and I8, respectively, which are screwed into the recesses. The recess I5 is closed by a suitable plug I9 screwed intothe tapped end of the recess, while the tapped end of the recess I6 receives a threaded fitting 2U to which is connectedl a conduit 2l that extends to a source of supply or a suitable inflammable gas under pressure as will be well understood. The recess I5 is in communication with the enlarged portion II of the passage by means of a port 22, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The bushings II and I8 are each provided with internal bores so shaped as to receive a valve core or valve insides 23 of the type employed in the valve stems of pneumatic tires and well understood in the art. As is common with valve cores or valve insides of the type referred to, the valve proper indicated at 24 and which seats against the end ofthe barrel of the insides or core is carried by a movable pin 25 extending through the core or insides and mounting a spring which normally maintains the valve proper in seated position.

, Bores 26 are formed in the body andextend transversely of the recesses I5 and I6 adjacent the inner ends of said recesses and communicate with counterbores 21 arranged coaxially with-the bores 26 and extending to the outer side ofthe body. Slidable pins 28 are mounted in the bores 26 and are provided intermediate their ends with V-shaped camming notches 29 that cooperate with the chamfered ends of sliding pins 30 mounted with a clearance in the reduced portions o! the recesses I5 and I6 land engaging at their opposite ends the ends of the valve pins 25. 'I'he pins 28 operate against the tension of springs 3| and are normally so located that the chamfered ends of the pins 30 engage in the in the counterbores 21 by means of threadedcup-shaped metal bushings 33 whichare'screwed into the counterbores. 'Ihe rubber members 32,'

due to their elasticity allow movement of the pins 28. The bottoms of the cup-shaped bushings 38 are provided with centrally disposed openings through which pins 34 project tothe outer side of the body, said pins being provided with annular heads 3l that enaage the outer side of the bottoms of the members 32, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. Rotatably mountedupon the side of the bodyllbymeansotastudisacammember 31 provided with two spaced camming portions 31a and 31o. An operating lever 38 is mounted on the stud 36 exteriorly of the camming mem ber and is secured to said member, whereby when said lever is moved said camming member will also be moved so that the camming portion 31a will first depress its cooperating pin 34 that acts against the lowermost of the pins 28 inwardly against the action of its spring 3I to effect an opening movement of the valve insides that is mounted lin the lower recess I6, after which con tinued movement of the lever in the same direction similarly effects an opening of the valve insides in the recess I5. The purpose of first opening the valve insides in the recess I6 before the insides in the recessA I5 is opened is to cause a flow of gas through the torch to the nozzle which may be ignited and act as a pilot light, after which the oxygen can pass through the torch and be mixed with the gas .into the proper combustible mixture.

As indicated in Fig. 1, when the lever 38 is in its most downward position, as indicated'by the word closed the valves proper of both of both gas and oxygen will be flowing through the torch and the'further movements of the lever to positions 2 and 3 act to open the valve insides further to permit a greaterfiiow of both gas and oxygen through the torch, it being understood that'the diierent operative positions to which the lever may be moved,"i. e., positions I, 2 and 3, will be determined by the size of the nozzle that is being employed upon the torch, as well as by the pressures of oxygen and gas desired for particular classes of work. It will be understood that the volume of the incoming gas and oxygen `canthus be regulated or controlled at the inlet end of the torch and such regulation or control may be used in conjunction with and supplementary to the regulation or control effected by metering orifices later to be referred to and located adjacent to the mixing chamber, or the said regulation and, control can be employed without the regulation or control afforded by the metering oriiices if it is so desired.

Suitable means. such as spring points or other means, will be provided for maintaining the lever 38 in the diierent positions to which the oper- .ator has moved it, wherefore after said lever has been set ,itis unnecessary for. the operator to alter or change its position until the work has been completed.

ferred to and lying adjacent each other bu spaced longitudinally of.the body. Counterbores 4I and 44 and the bores 48 and 43 are clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4, it being noted that the bores 4I and 43 are tapped adjacent their i :rassegna outerjends to receive threaded members 45 which is provided which bears against the bottom of Intermediate the ends of the the counterbores. members 45 is a. transversely extending partition forming the common bottom of both cup-shaped y portions and provided centrally with an opening through which extends with a loose nt the pin 56 of, a valve 46a that is located in the cup-shaped portions within the bores and seats upon the partition, it being noted that said head 46a, as shown in Figs.` 4 and 5, is so shaped that even=when seated there wil1 be a seepage of oxygenor gas through the opening in the partition. Springs 41 located in the bores 40 and 43 act to normally hold the valve 46a in seated position. The valve pins d6 have their outer ends cooperating with n centrally disposed bosses 58 formed on flanged cup-shaped members 49 located in the counterbores di andl 44 and secured to one end of expansiblebellows 50 and forming the closure for said end of the bellows. The opposite ends of the bellows are secured to and closed by means of threaded discs I which are screwed into the threaded outer ends of the counterbores and act to hold the bellows in position. Centrally disposed threaded studs 52 extend through openings in the discs 5Ik and engage the bottom of the cupshaped members 49, wherefore the amount of compressing movement of the bellows can be adjusted by adjusting the studs 52. The bellows will be preselected as to strength and size, such as to be compressed by a predetermined pressure, wherefore when the cup-shaped members.,9 engage the inner ends of the studs 52 the valves 46a will be seated, although, as previously explained, a seepage of oxygen and gas into the bellows chambers or counterbores 4Iy and d4 will still be taking place. The left hand end of the body I0 is provided with a tapered recess 53 threaded to' receive an externally threaded tapered plug 54 that extends, whenin fully seated position, part Way into the recess 53, said plug being provided on its left hand end, as viewed in the drawings, with a ings or metering orices 51a and 58a, respec-` tively. The metering orifice in the gasket 51 is in communication with the 'counterbore onbellows chamber 4I by means of a passage 59,

while the metering orifice in the gasket 58 is inl communication with the counterbore or bellows chamber 44 by means of a passage 66 formed in l the body.

A tube or pipe 6| has one end secured to the reduced extension54a of the plug ,54, while itsl opposite end is secured to a nozzle receiving tip later Yto be described.

In the portion Il of the passage that extends longitudinally through the body I0 there is arranged a fitting 62 provided with a reduced exe tension 63 that has formed thereon annular ribs vor projections for a purpose later to be explained.

The mung -sz abats the-shoulder formed at the left hand end, as viewed in the drawings, of the 1 portion il of the passage that is offlarge diameter, while the extension 63 extends into-the portion I2 of said passage which is of smaller diameter. The fitting 62 is provided with a longitudinally extending bore 64 that extends through the extension 63 and the fitting and communicates 'v with a centrally disposed opening arranged in 'a gasket 65 and located in the portion Il of the passage.. The gasket 65 is clamped between the fitting 62 anda cylindrical bushing 66 also 1ocated inthe portion Ill of the passage, it being noted that the i'ltting 62. gasket 65 and bushing 66 have a close driving iit in the bore of the enlarged portion Il of the passage. An expansible tube 61, preferably formed of rubber, is located in the reduced portion I2 of the passage and has one of its ends secured to the reduced extension 53 of the fltting'62, preferably by vulcanizing the same thereto, while its other end is secured,

preferably by vulcanization, to the reduced exten-- sion 68located in the'reduced portion i 2 of the passage and formed on one end of a metal connecting tube 69, the oppositeend of which tube is threaded and screwed into a threaded counterbore formed in a connecting nut 10, said end of the tube clamping a suitable gasket 1l between it and the bottom of the `counterbore in the con-` necting nut 10. The connecting 'nut 10 is threadedly connected to a-,cup-shaped member 12, as clearly shown in Fig. 2,'which member is provided at its bottom with a valve seat 13 surrounding a cylindrical bore 14 extending through the bottom of-the member 12 and through a 'cylindrical extension 15 formedv thereon and shown in Fig. 2 the left hand end of the extension 15 of the member 12 engages said gasket in sealing relationship. The valve pin 881s of less di'- ameter than the bore 14 through the extension 15, while4 the'head 19 of said valvepin is'provided with a plurality of openings 19a, as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. 'I'he valve pin 80 is of such length as to extend through the bore 14 into the cup portion of the member 12 and abuts at its right hand end, as viewed in Fig. 2, a valve 8| formed of a rubber or flexible seating portion and a metal backing, said metal backing having a centrally disposed dome-like projection.

which acts to center a spring 82 located between the valve and a recess iormedron the left sideof the -nut 10. v

As already stated, the head 19 of `the valve pin tractible rubber. tube 81.

. A coilspring 83 vis arranged on the metal connecting tube 69 intermediate the left hand end of the body I0 and the connecting nut'1l! and acts to normally urge the nut 10 and member 12 toward the left to seat theend of the extension lever there is secured a cammlng block 88 prol 15 on the gasket 18, A lever 84 is provided with a U-shaped portion that straddles the plug 11 and is pivotally connected thereto by means of a pin 85, see Figs. 2 and 3. Intermediate the downwardly extending arms of the U-shaped portion of the lever 84 and on the underside of the vided with an inclined surface 86a and a straight surface 88h, which surfaces cooperate with a chamfered or inclined surface 12a formed on the left hand-end of the member 12. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the valve 8| is in unseated position and the lever -84 is in. its raised or upper position. In order to close the valve the operator depresses the lever 84, with the result that the inclined surface 86a on the camming block 88 acts against the chamfered surface 12al on the member 12 to move the latter toward the rig-ht, as viewed in the drawings, against the action oi the spring 83, such movement compressing the rubber tube 81 in the reduced portion |2 of the passage through the body I0. "As previously stated, the valve pin 80 is stationary, and hence the movement of the member 12 toward the right by the depression of the lever 84 brings the gasket of the valve 8| into sealing relationship with the valve seat 18 in the-bottom of the member 12 to seal or close the direct passage from the oxygen supply to the nozzle of the cutting torch or blowpipe. 'Ihe parts are so proportioned that when the valve 8| has moved to seated position the surface 88h oi the camming block comes into engagement with the left hand end of the member 12 and since the spring 88 is constantly urging said member toward the left the lever 84 is held in its downward position and the valve 8| is maintained in seated relationship with respect to the valve seat 18. When the operator wishes to o'pen the valve 8|' it is merely necessary ior him to move the lever 84 to its upper position, as shown in Fig. 2, whereupon, due to the spring, 88, the parts will assume the position shown in the drawings.

A shield 81 is located at the left hand end, as viewed in the drawings, of the body I0 and surrounds the cutting ,torch or blowpipe to substantially enclose the cup-shaped member 12 andits associated parts. A metallic tube 0r pipe 88 has one of its ends secured to the reduced extension formed on the left hand end of the plug 11, while its opposite end is secured to a boss 88 formed on the tip 80 to which the nozzle is connected. A boss 8| similar to the boss 88 is also formed on the tip 80 below the boss 88 and the left hand end of the tube or pipe 8| previously referred to is connected to said boss.

A passage 82 extends centrally through the tip 88 and then at its upper end transversely thereof and through the boss 88. so that said passage is in communication with the tube or pipe 88. 'Ihe tip 80 is also provided with a plurality 0i Dassages 83, having portions extending parallel to the vertically arranged portion of the passage 82 and other portions extending laterally there- The that the upper end of the nozzle is provided with an annular recess 88 having centrally therein a threaded tubular extension 88 which screws into a threaded counterbore at the lower end of the passage 82 in the tip. A passage |00 extends centrally through the nozzle and is in communication with the passage 82 in the tip. A plurality of short passages or ports |0|4 connect the recess 98 with a cylindrical hollow portion 102 formed in the nozzle and surrounding the passage |00, while at the lower tapered end a plurality or short passages or ports |08 connect the hollow portion |02 with the end of the nozzle. Inasmuch as the construction of the nozzle is conventional it is not believed necessary to describe .the same in greater detail.

l for the-cutting of metal and that the fittings I8Y and 20 are connected to a source. of supply of oxygen and gas, respectively, and that the lever 88 ls in closed position as is also the lever 84, the operator first moves ,the lever 88 from the closed -posltion to the pilot position to slightly open the valve insides'in the recess I6 to permit'a small flow of gas to the nozzle. The camming portions 81a and'81b on the lever 88 are so proportioned and related that the movement of the lever 88 from closed to pilot position will act to slightly 35 open thev valve of the valve insides4 in the recess I8 but will not at that time affect the valve insides in the recess |8. It will also be understood that the valves 48a and the bellows 50 are adjusted for predetermined oxygen and gas pressure and that the metering orices 51a and 88a are yof predetermined size. After the lever 88 has been moved from closed to the pilot-position a small now of gas passes through the passage 42 into the bellows chamber 44, the valve 48a at this time being held open by the bellows. The gas will fiowthrough the passage 80 from the bellows chamber and through the metering orice 51a and into the pipe or tube 8|, from whence it passes through the passages 88 into the passages 8l. hollow portion |02 and passages |03 of the nozzle. The operator now lignites the gas leaving the tapered end of thenozzle to form a pilot light, after which he moves the lever 88 from pilot position to positions I, 2 or 8. as the case may be, to further open the valve of the valve insides in the recess I8 and to open the valve of the valve insides in the recess |8 to permit a flow of oxygen through the passage 88 and into the bellows chamber 4|. At this time the valves 48a in both bellows chambers will be in open position and the oxygen and gas canriiow from the bellows chambers 4| and 44, respectivelyl through the passages 58 and 88 to the metering oriilces 88a and 81a. which orifices are so proportioned as to size as to allow predetermined amounts of the gas and oxygen to pass into the pipe or tube 8|, which amounts are so related that the proper combustible mixture of the gas and oxygen is effected.

It will be understood that when the preures of the gas and oxygen owing into the bellows4 chambers 44 and 4| obtains to the pressures for which the bellows are adjusted that then said 4bellows will be collapsed and the valves 48a will l tion and there will be no flow through the bore move to seated position, there still being. as previously explained, a seepage of gas and oxygen into the bellows chambers past the valves 46a wherefore the flowof gas and oxygen to the nozzle is never completely stopped during the operation' of the torch. The use of the gas and oxygen at the nozzle will cause a lowering of the of the bellowsl controlled valves is such that the gas and oxygen iiowing to the metering orifices will always be at the desired pressures and such pressures will not be affected by the consumption of the oxygen and gas as the tool is used,

with a consequent decrease in -pressure in the tanks containing the same, until, of course, the pressures in the tanks have reached a point lower than that for which the bellows are adjusted.

It will be understood in using a torch of this kind for the cutting of metal that the burningr of the combustible mixture is flrstemployed for vthe purpose of preheating the metal along the line where it is to be severed. As soon as the metal has been preheated to the proper degree Athe operator throws lever 84 to its upper position to unseat' the valve 8|, whereupon a direct ow of high pressure oxygen passes through the torch and into' the bore |00 in the nozzle, emerging therefrom in a jet which caribe directed against the preheated metal to dissolve or destroy the carbon therein and eiect asevering of the metal along the line desired. As soon as the metal has been severed the loperator moves the lever 84 to closed position to seal lthe valve 8| and stop the iiow oi high pressure oxygen, then moves the lever 38 to pilot position, whereupon the tool is in condition to again be used in the lcutting of metal by the manipulations hereinbefore referred to. l

It will have been noted that during the use of the tool and particularly during the time the metal is being preheated, it is unnecessary forthe operatorv to adjust valves in order to provide the proper combustible mixture at .the lnozzle. In the ordinary cutting torch orA blowpipe used for this purpose there are usually a pair of valves, one controlling the oxygen and the other the gas, which the operator. must constantly adjust during the use 'of the tool to bring about the proper combustiblei mixture for the flame.V The result is that theoperator must be highly skilled in order to use the conventional tool of this character, and must be capable from a visual inspection, oi knowing when he has obtained the correct iiame for the preheating operation.

In using the tool of the present invention the operator need only move the lever 38 to the indicated positions andl the proper combustible mixture will automatically be provided at the nozzle, inasmuch as the bellows controlled valves have .been present for predetermined pressures while the` metering orifices have been preselected to permit the correct flowof oxygen and gas therethrough, which will provide the requisite and correct combustible mixture.

When the tool is used for welding metal it'is only necessary for the operator to. move the lever 38 to the-indicated positions, since a. ame only is employed in the welding operation. At this time the lever 84. wi1l remain in closed posiand functioning independently of 'each other for |00 in the nozzle of high pressure oxygen.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that the invention is sus- 5 ceptible of various modications and adaptations within the scope of the appended claims.'

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a cutting torch or blowpipe comprising a body having inlet connections adjacent one of yits ends for a source of inammable gas and a source of oxygen and a mixing Achamber adjacent its opposite end, a nozzle connected to said body and in communication with -said mixing'hamben said Vbody being provided with separate passages vinterconnecting said inlet' connections and said mixing chamber, valves in midpas'sages controlling the inlet of the gas and oxygen, and separate automatic pressure control means in said body and associated with said passages` intermediate said valves and said mixing chamber and functioning independently of each other to regulate the pressures of the gas' and oxygen ilowing therethrough.

2. A cutting torchy or blowpipe Vcomprisingy a body having adjacent one of itsends inlet connections with sources of supply of inflammable gas and oxygen and adjacent its other end a mixing chamber, separate passages in baid body interconnecting said inlet connections and said mixing chamber and each having portions accessible from the exterior of the body and shaped to receive a valve insides or core of the type employed in tire valve stems, a valve insides or core of said type removably mounted as a unit in each of said portions and constituting valves adjacent the inlet ends of said passages for lcontrolling the flow of gas and oxygen therethrough, separate automatic pressure regulating means mounted in said' body and associated with said 40 passages intermediate said valve insides or cores and said mixing chamber and functioning independently of each other for controlling the pressure of the gas and oxygen flowing through the passages, and a nozzle.operativelyconnected with said body and in communication with said mixing chamber. l Y n 3. A; cutting torch or blowpipe comprisingV al body having adjacent one of its ends inlet connections with sources of supply of .an inammable gas andoxygen and adjacent its otherend a mixing chamber, separate'passages extending through said body and interconnecting said mixing chamber and'said inlet connections and having portions adjacentthe latter accessible from the exterior of said body and each shaped to receive a valve insides or core of the type em' ployed in tire valve stems, a valve insides or core of said type removably mounted as a unit .in each of said portions and constitutingvalves adjacent the ends of said passages for controlling the ow of gas and oxygen therethrough, means carried by said body for operating said valve insides or cores, a single actuating member for said means operatively` associated therewith and mounted exteriorly ofthe body,.separate automatic pres'- sure regulating means mountedA in said body and associated with said passages intermediate said valve insides or cores and said mixing chamber automatically controlling the pressure of the gas and oxygen flowing through said passages, and' a nozzle operatively connected with said body' and in communication with said mixing chamber.

4. A cutting torch or blowpipe comprising a body having passages therethrough for an iniiammable gas and oxygen. a nozzle connected to said body and in communication with said passages. and separate pressure regulating valves carried by said body and associated with said passages for regulating automatically and independently oi each other the pressure o: the gas and oxygen flowing therethrough, said pressure regulating valves being provided with means such that when said valves are seated a seepage of gas and oxygen takes place therearound, and means for controlling the flow of gas or oxygen through said passages. i

5'. In a cutting :torch or blowpipe comprising a body having inlet connections adjacent one of its ends for a sourceV o! iniiammable gas and a source of oxygen and a mixing chamber adjacent its opposite end, a nozzle connected to said body and in communication .with said mixing chamber, said body being provided with separate passages interconnecting said inlet connections and said mixing chamber, separate valves in said passages controlling the inlet of the gas and oxygen, separate automatic pressure. 

